What to do when someone dies
The funeral can only take place after the death has been registered. You can pay for a funeral director to arrange the funeral, or you can do it yourself.
You should check if the person who died had made arrangements for their funeral - this could include a prepaid funeral plan or life insurance. The person may have included their wishes in their Will if they had one.
Funeral Directors
If you hire a funeral director, choose a funeral director who’s a member of either the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). These organisations have codes of practice, for example the funeral director is required to be transparent with their fees and charges and should give you a price list when asked.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Once appointed, the funeral arranger will discuss potential dates for the cremation service. They will liaise with us, the minister or celebrant and look at the availability of their vehicles and staff. The arranger will also discuss the requirements for the funeral service if there is to be one including music and visual tributes.
Don’t forget that you are paying for the funeral arranger to make the arrangements and to take some of the pressure off of you when you and your family are going through a bereavement.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs will include funeral director fees, disbursements or third-party costs, for example crematorium fees, or a newspaper/online announcement about the death.
Funeral directors must itemise all costs in their quote. We recommend you get quotes from several funeral directors to see what is available and what is within your budget.
If you need help with the cost of a funeral further information is available from MoneyHelper. This is an external website.
You can make the arrangement yourself. Please contact the team at Oakfield Gardens and we will be happy to guide you through the process.
If you are thinking of arranging the funeral yourself, you will need to consider the following...
You will need to purchase a coffin that is suitable for cremation. Some funeral directors would be happy to sell you a coffin as most manufacturers will not supply directly to the public. Please be aware that coffins must be UK accredited. Please do not purchase a coffin online without consulting us first.
You will need to contact or visit the office at Oakfield Gardens to complete the required statutory paperwork and discuss the requirements for the funeral service.
On the day of the funeral, you will need to collect the person who has died from the establishment who has the body in their care. They will usually be happy to help you to place the person in the coffin.
You will need a suitable vehicle to bring the coffin to the crematorium.
Most importantly, if you are thinking about making the arrangements yourself, you need to think about your own wellbeing as making the arrangements can affect the process of grief. Don’t forget that we are here to help you.
Types of ceremony
Our service hall is secular but can cater for any religious or non-religious cremation service.
If the person who has died was religious, the family may already have contacts with a religious minister who may undertake the funeral service, otherwise the funeral arranger will have a list of ministers who will take the service.
We have a special room for the witness charging of a coffin which forms part of the cremation service for the Hindu and Sikh faiths or for those who wish to see this part of the process. This must be requested at the time of booking the cremation.
For non-religious funerals, the funeral arranger will also have a list of humanist and civil celebrants. More information can be found via the following external websites…
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation (sometimes called an unattended cremation - or branded in some other way) can be arranged through most funeral directors. It differs from a traditional funeral in that there is no gathering at the crematorium, and no service or opportunity to pay final respects at the time of the cremation. Depending on the provider, families may not always be informed about exactly when or where the cremation will take place, or how their loved one will be cared for while in the provider’s care.
Why do people choose a direct cremation?
There are several reasons why someone might choose a direct cremation, and many people make this decision in advance through a pre‑paid plan. For some, cost is a factor; however, many funeral directors can offer simple, lower‑cost attended service, and we offer early‑morning services at a reduced price. Others may choose a direct cremation because they prefer a no‑fuss or minimalist approach.
What is important is that the decision involves the wider family. While a direct cremation may honour an individual’s wish for simplicity, the absence of a funeral service can affect how family and friends process their grief and may influence their longer‑term wellbeing.
“Mum wanted a direct cremation, so we want to honour her wishes.”
We completely understand the desire to respect a loved one’s choices. At the same time, we gently encourage families to consider the broader impact of not having a service, particularly for those who may benefit from gathering, sharing memories, and receiving support.
Most pre‑paid plans can be upgraded from a direct cremation to an attended service, and your funeral director will be able to advise you on this. Alternatively you may hold a memorial service or ‘celebration of life’ in our service hall on a different day.
I chose a direct cremation plan — can I change it?
Yes. If your plan was purchased through a local funeral director, it can usually be transferred to an attended funeral plan, with the difference in cost payable. A small administrative fee may apply. If the plan was purchased online or over the phone by a provider who is not a funeral director, you should still be entitled to a refund, although the provider will deduct a cancellation fee.
Need more advice?
We are here to help. Call the office on 0300 300 8448 and book an appointment with a member of the team.